Responsiveness of the Absolute Error of Estimated Speaking Fundamental Frequency (AEF0) after Surgical Intervention of Voice Disorders

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the responsiveness of the absolute error of estimated speaking fundamental frequency (AEF0) after intervention of voice disorders. The correlation between the changes in AEF0 measures and multidimensional voice measurements were explored. Usefulness of the changes in the AEF0 (ΔAEF0) measures for predicting vocal improvement was also explored. Methods: 30 male and 30 female patients with benign vocal fold lesions participated in the study. Participants were asked to perform voice and speech range profile and passage-reading tasks to yield the AEF0. Pre- vs. post-operative AEF0 in voice and speech range profile tasks were compared. The correlation between the ΔAEF0 and changes in the voice parameters was explored. The cutoff score of the ΔAEF0 for the improved group was calculated. Results: For both male and female patients, voice and speech range profile measures did not show significant change after surgery. On the other hand, AEF0 measured by voice and speech range profiles decreased regardless of gender. ΔAEF0 after surgery showed weak to moderate correlation with the changes in the multidimensional voice measurements. The area under the curve of the ΔAEF0<sub>VRP</sub>, ΔAEF0<sub>SRP</sub>, ΔAEF0<sub>SUM</sub> for screening vocal improvement were .693, .669, and .753; and the cutoff scores were ≤ 4.035, ≤ -2.403, ≤ 0.389, respectively. Conclusion: The results revealed that AEF0 measures could function as an indicator of post-treatment vocal improvement reflecting vocal ranges.